Super Bowl 60 predictions: Our experts pick Patriots vs. Seahawks

The New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks are set to battle in Super Bowl 60. For the Patriots, they're looking to make history with their seventh Super Bowl win. For the Seahawks, they're looking to win their second-ever Super Bowl.

This game will feature a matchup between two high-powered offenses and two dominant defenses, where protecting the football and capitalizing on opportunities will be the name of the game. In just two seasons, Mike Macdonald has taken his Seahawks squad to their first Super Bowl since 2015. Meanwhile, Mike Vrabel has taken the Patriots to the Super Bowl in his first year with the team, and he's looking to become the first person in NFL history to win a Super Bowl as both a player and head coach for the same franchise.

Before Sunday's big game, our Bears Wire staff are sharing their game picks for Super Bowl LX:

Alyssa Barbieri: Seahawks 24, Patriots 20

This Super Bowl matchup might not be eliciting a ton of buzz, but that's nothing new for these two under-the-radar teams who are looking to once again silence their critics. No one expected either of these teams would be contenders yet alone competing in the Super Bowl, but Mike Vrabel and Mike Macdonald prove the power of a good head coach, as well as a talented roster.

While Drake Maye was an MVP candidate in his second season, he's struggled during the postseason while New England was dealt injury breaks when facing the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos. If Maye finally reverts back to his regular-season self, that could ultimately be the difference. The Patriots defense has also been playing at a high level, so we'll see if Sam Darnold and company can keep them at bay. Meanwhile, the Seahawks are the most complete team with their high-powered offense, dominant defense and solid special teams. Sam Darnold leads an offense that can beat you on the ground (with Kenneth Walker III) and through the air (with Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba).

I'm more wary of the Patriots, given their easy path to the playoffs and ultimately Super Bowl, while the Seahawks have been battle-tested in the NFL's most difficult division and are overall the most complete team. Ultimately, I give Seattle the edge given they're the better offense (with Maye's postseason struggles). But both defenses will look to slow down what's been some productive offenses this season.

Brendan Sugrue: Seahawks 28, Patriots 25

As the regular season came to a close, I remember watching the Seattle Seahawks toy with the San Francisco 49ers to capture homefield advantage in the NFC. They terrified me then and nothing has changed since that moment. Now, they get to return to a stadium they know all too well and are poised to hoist the Lombardi Trophy with Sam Darnold leading the way. All they have to do is get through the New England Patriots.

Mike Vrabel has done a phenomenal job turning this franchise around in just a short amount of time, and there are areas that make them a serious threat to win. But Seattle has too much firepower and they’re playing their best football of the season. 

Though Sam Darnold scares me sometimes, I trust him more than Drake Maye at this point in their careers. The redemption arc is finally complete as the former No. 3 overall pick puts on a show for the world to see.

Mike Pendleton: Patriots 31, Seahawks 24

I am all in on Mike Vrabel as the lead dog for the New England Patriots, and the culture he has brought into the franchise in the post-Brady era. Drake Maye is a very talented quarterback who can beat you with his arm or his legs, but he needed the right coaching staff in place, and Vrabel has been the perfect fit for the former No. 3 overall pick. 

New England’s defense may be underrated in comparison to Seattle’s but they’re still a very good unit in their own regard. The Patriots defense has been one of the best units in run defense through the playoffs, and that’ll be needed as it is imperative that they contain and slow down Kenneth Walker III out of Seattle’s backfield. 

If the Patriots can force Sam Darnold to have to beat them on his own, I’ll side with New England all the way. Darnold has been great this season and he’s putting a silence on the narrative about his poor play in his big games, but in the end I believe the Patriots are a better team in all three phases, and Mike Vrabel’s championship experience should carry this team to victory. 

Vinnie Parise: Patriots 20, Seahawks 17

Super Bowl LX will take place on Sunday between two teams that nobody saw coming during the preseason. Neither Sam Darnold or Drake Maye were expected to do what they’ve done up to this point. It’s a pleasant surprise for those of us who simply appreciate good football. 

If the game is a blowout, that likely means that the Seahawks’ defense shut down the Patriots and Darnold ran away with it. If the game is close, that likely means that the Patriots found a way to win a football game. 

Normally, when I try to pick a winner, if a team has an advantage, albeit a slight one, at quarterback and head coach, I tend to go with them. For this matchup, the Patriots have the Coach of the Year and the MVP runner up as their quarterback. That should give the the edge in the overall football game, even if Seattle has a deeper roster.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Super Bowl 60 predictions: Our experts pick Patriots vs. Seahawks